The Critical Way digs in between foes in Parx Dash win
The Critical Way earned his fourth stakes victory in 2021 when he dug in determinedly in between horses to deny late-kicking Battle Station by a nose in Tuesday's Grade 3, $200,000 Parx Dash at five furlongs on firm turf.
The Parx Dash was postponed one week due to heavy rain caused by Tropical Storm Henri.
Trained by Jose Delgado for Monster Racing Stables, The Critical Way pressed pacesetter Francatelli during an opening quarter in 23.03 seconds.
Midway on the turn, Francatelli drifted off the inside and 99-1 shot Amblin Man burst through the open rail corridor to take the lead.
Forced three wide into the lane, Paco Lopez and The Critical Way forged to the front in midstretch, only to be confronted from the outside by Battle Station and from his inside by a resurgent Francatelli.
The Critical Way got there first and completed the five furlongs in 58.55. Battle Station was a head better than Francatelli. It was another 1 3/4 lengths back to So Street in fourth. They were followed by Amblin Man, Borracho, and Where You Was. The Critical Way paid $2.60 to win.
Shekky Shebaz and The Connector entered, but both competed in Saturday's Rainbow Heir Stakes at Monmouth. Firecrow, Appealing Future, I Got a Rock, and King's House also withdrew.
Claimed for $30,000 on Jan. 15, 2020, The Critical Way made one start for trainer Jorge Navarro before being transferred to Delgado's care.
Since moving back to the turf for Delgado, the 7-year-old gelded son of Tizway has won six times and not finished off the board in 10 starts. He entered the Parx Dash after sweeping both the Get Serious and Wolf Hill stakes at Monmouth Park.
The Critical Way might now be pointed to the Grade 3, $300,000 Turf Monster on Sept. 25 at Parx.